Post by Janjoon-Lebanese on Oct 1, 2006 5:37:22 GMT -5
Michael Schumacher wins Shanghai classic!
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The 56-lap Chinese Grand Prix will undoubtedly go down as one of Michael Schumacher’s most important victories in his long and illustrious career. Against the odds the Ferrari star took the chequered flag three seconds ahead of arch rival Fernando Alonso. It was in fact a race that Alonso should have won were it not for two critical mistakes.
As Michael Schumacher beamed on the podium, Alonso gave a wry smile despite well aware of the fact that he has now lost the lead in the championship to Schumacher. With equal points at the head of the drivers’ table, Schumacher takes the lead courtesy of his seven wins to Alonso’s six.
The heavy rain ahead of the Grand Prix was not good news for Schumacher and Ferrari. It was clear in qualifying that the Michelin tyre was superior in the wet conditions. Fernando Alonso led away at the start and quickly established a comfortable 15 second margin over second placed Giancarlo Fisichella. At this point the race seemed to be done and dusted in terms of the win.
A dry line was however beginning to form and soon it became apparent that the circuit was in fact drying despite the high humidity. As the first round of pitstops approached a number of Michelin runners pitted and took fuel only opting to stick with the used intermediate tyres.
Alonso however took on two new front intermediate tyres and soon it was clear that it was a bad decision.
Alonso’s lead soon was quickly eaten into and sure enough Giancarlo Fisichella blew by to take the lead. Schumacher’s Bridgestone’s had taken to the circuit by this point and he was right on the pace having moved up from his sixth position on the grid.
The circuit continued to dry and it was apparent that dry weather tyres would be required for the final stint. Struggling for pace, Alonso pitted from third position as soon as he could and it was then that the team had a problem fitting the left rear wheel and another ten seconds was lost and with it, any hope of retaining the championship lead.
Back out front Michael Schumacher shadowed Fisichella and with some runners now opting for slicks, timed his second stop perfectly stopping one lap before the Italian Renault driver. As Fisichella exited the pits ahead of Schumacher, it was clear that his relatively cool rubber was giving him little grip and Schumacher duly drove down the inside and took away the lead.
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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The 56-lap Chinese Grand Prix will undoubtedly go down as one of Michael Schumacher’s most important victories in his long and illustrious career. Against the odds the Ferrari star took the chequered flag three seconds ahead of arch rival Fernando Alonso. It was in fact a race that Alonso should have won were it not for two critical mistakes.
As Michael Schumacher beamed on the podium, Alonso gave a wry smile despite well aware of the fact that he has now lost the lead in the championship to Schumacher. With equal points at the head of the drivers’ table, Schumacher takes the lead courtesy of his seven wins to Alonso’s six.
The heavy rain ahead of the Grand Prix was not good news for Schumacher and Ferrari. It was clear in qualifying that the Michelin tyre was superior in the wet conditions. Fernando Alonso led away at the start and quickly established a comfortable 15 second margin over second placed Giancarlo Fisichella. At this point the race seemed to be done and dusted in terms of the win.
A dry line was however beginning to form and soon it became apparent that the circuit was in fact drying despite the high humidity. As the first round of pitstops approached a number of Michelin runners pitted and took fuel only opting to stick with the used intermediate tyres.
Alonso however took on two new front intermediate tyres and soon it was clear that it was a bad decision.
Alonso’s lead soon was quickly eaten into and sure enough Giancarlo Fisichella blew by to take the lead. Schumacher’s Bridgestone’s had taken to the circuit by this point and he was right on the pace having moved up from his sixth position on the grid.
The circuit continued to dry and it was apparent that dry weather tyres would be required for the final stint. Struggling for pace, Alonso pitted from third position as soon as he could and it was then that the team had a problem fitting the left rear wheel and another ten seconds was lost and with it, any hope of retaining the championship lead.
Back out front Michael Schumacher shadowed Fisichella and with some runners now opting for slicks, timed his second stop perfectly stopping one lap before the Italian Renault driver. As Fisichella exited the pits ahead of Schumacher, it was clear that his relatively cool rubber was giving him little grip and Schumacher duly drove down the inside and took away the lead.
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
